The sight of a whole roast ham makes for a beautiful centerpiece at any holiday or Sunday dinner. But even after your family has eaten their fill, it’s more than likely you’ll have quite a bit of leftover ham on your hands. What to do? You could eat ham for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day for a month. But instead—can you freeze ham on the bone? Absolutely!
You’ll need to clear some freezer space, though. Follow these tips to keep your freezer organized.
How to Freeze Cooked Bone-in Ham
The first step is to allow the ham to cool completely in the refrigerator. Here’s what to do next:
- Use a paper towel to remove any excess moisture from the surface of the ham.
- Place the whole ham in a freezer bag. Remove as much of the air in the bag as possible.
- Wrap the freezer bag in aluminum foil. Then, place the entire wrapped package into another freezer bag. (It will help prevent freezer burn and protect the flavor.)
- Use a permanent marker to label the outside of the bag with the contents and date.
See more of our best tips for freezing food.
How to Freeze Smaller Portions of Cooked Ham
You can freeze the whole ham—but you may want to consider freezing smaller portions. It’s easier to grab what you need from the freezer rather than having a large serving of ham on your hands all over again. It’s easiest to either slice or dice your ham before freezing.
- Use a sharp knife to slice or dice the ham into your preferred thickness or size.
- Place the ham in the refrigerator to cool completely.
- Separate the ham into individual portions. Place each portion into a freezer or vacuum-seal bag, remove as much air as possible and close. Test Kitchen tip: If using a freezer zipper bag, insert a straw into one side of the bag and zipper shut around it. Then suck out as much air as possible, remove the straw and quickly zipper the bag closed.
- Use a permanent marker to label the outside of the bag with the contents and date.
Need inspiration for using up those leftovers? Try one of these recipes that call for leftover ham. Some of our favorite ways to use leftover ham are in casseroles, soups and breakfast hashes.
A Note About Safe Thawing
According to FoodSafety.gov, whole, sliced or diced ham can be safely frozen for up to two months. The safest way to thaw the frozen ham is to place it in the refrigerator. Two other thawing methods include placing the ham in cold water in an airtight bag or microwaving it. If you choose the microwave method, it should be cooked immediately after thawing. It is never safe to thaw ham (or any other meat) at room temperature on the countertop or in the sink.
Are you making these other food safety mistakes?
Use Your Leftovers to Make Tasty Ham & Cheese Recipes
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Ham and Scalloped Potatoes
I fix this saucy skillet dish often, especially when I'm running late, because it takes so little time to prepare. The recipe won first prize in our local paper some years back. —Emma Magielda, Amsterdam, New York
Peas & Pasta Carbonara
Using cream cheese to fortify the sauce speeds up cooking time and will have you eating my take on this old-time classic carbonara recipe in about 30 minutes. —Celeste Brantolino, Lenoir, North Carolina
Asparagus Ham Dinner
I've been making this low-fat ham dinner for my family for years, and we always look forward to it. With asparagus, tomato, pasta and chunks of ham, it's a tempting blend of tastes and textures. —Rhonda Zavodny, David City, Nebraska
Pretty Penne Ham Skillet
I'm a busy nurse, so fast meals are a must. This pasta is a tasty change of pace from potato-ham casseroles. —Kathy Stephan, West Seneca, New York
Cheddar Ham Chowder
I often freeze this soup and thaw it for a fast easy meal. Since it's hearty, all I need to add are rolls or bread and a salad. —Ann Heine, Mission Hill, South Dakota
Veggie Noodle Ham Casserole
This saucy main dish is really quite versatile. Without the ham, it can be a vegetarian entree or a hearty side dish.—Judy Moody, Wheatley, Ontario
Ham 'n' Cheese Egg Bake
This make-ahead egg casserole is just the thing when entertaining in the morning. It's loaded with ham, cheese and mushrooms.
Ham N Cheese Quiches
When I need a festive finger food, this quiche recipe's the one I reach for. With cheese in both the crust and the filling, eating one naturally leads to another. —Virginia Abraham, Oxford, Mississippi
Ham and Cheese Pockets
These unique sandwiches are filled with ingredients most kids like. Pack these ham and cheese pockets in kiddos' lunch boxes, or make them on weekends for the whole family. —Callie Myers, Rockport, Texas
Ham & Brie Pastries
Growing up, I loved pocket pastries. Now with a busy family, I need quick bites, and my spin on the classic ham and cheese delivers at snack or supper time. —Jennifer Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California
Cheesy Ham Chowder
This recipe is one of my family's favorites. The ham chowder is chock-full of potatoes, ham and carrots. I like to make this comforting ham potato corn chowder at least once or twice a month during the fall and winter. —Jennifer Trenhaile, Emerson, Nebraska
Caramelized Ham & Swiss Buns
My next-door neighbor shared this recipe with me, and I simply cannot improve it! You can make it ahead and cook it quickly when company arrives. The combo of poppy seeds, ham and cheese, horseradish and brown sugar makes it so delicious.—Iris Weihemuller, Baxter, Minnesota
Stuffed Chicken Rolls
Just thinking about this dish sparks my appetite. The ham and cheese rolled inside make for a tasty surprise. The chicken rolls are especially nice served over rice or pasta. —Jean Sherwood, Kenneth City, Florida
Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta
Facebook fans of my blog, Chef in Training, inspired me to make this creamy pasta casserole out of ingredients I had on hand. Success! I took the dish for another flavorful spin and added a bit of smoky bacon and toasted bread crumbs. —Nikki Barton, Providence, Utah
Broccoli Ham Quiche
This rich ham and broccoli quiche is featured in a family cookbook I put together. My husband is proof that quiche can satisfy even a very healthy appetite. —Marilyn Day, North Fort Myers, Florida
Overnight Ham and Egg Casserole
I love how easy it is to assemble this savory egg casserole. Putting it together the night before really frees up my time the next morning. —Jennifer Howell, Fort Collins, Colorado
Chicken Provolone
Though it's one of my simplest dishes, this version of an Italian classic is also one of my husband’s favorites. It’s easy to prepare and a garnish of fresh parsley or basil makes it look elegant. —Dawn Bryant, Thedford, Nebraska
Ham and Swiss Casserole
When I prepare this noodle casserole for church gatherings, it's always a hit. It can easily be doubled or tripled for a crowd. —Doris Barb, El Dorado, Kansas
Breakfast Loaf
I love to make this mile-high breakfast sandwich when we have company for the weekend. If you like, add sliced mushrooms and olives. —Amy McCuan, Oakley, California
Colorful Ham Strata
Marilou's make-ahead breakfast bake is a cinch, particularly when leftover ham is used. Chock-full of peppers, onions and cheese, the eye-opener makes an ideal contribution to brunch buffets and is a great way to start the day.
Ham and Pea Pasta Alfredo
When I want a filling meal that even the kids enjoy, I toss ham and sugar snap peas with Romano cream sauce and pasta. —C.R. Monachino, Kenmore, New York
Smoky Cheddar, Ham and Corn Chowder
When I'm making a pot of Smoky Cheddar Corn Chowder, no one misses dinner. Smoked cheese the flavor to another level. —Danielle Crawford, Pelzer, SC
Croque-Madame
My son and I love having a croque-madame (a fried egg atop our grilled ham and cheese) for lunch. If eggs aren't your favorite, you can make the sandwich without it (which makes it a croque-monsieur). —Carolyn Turner, Reno, Nevada
Pear, Ham & Cheese Pastry Pockets
I came up with this simple recipe one night for a quick dinner. They're perfect with a cup of soup for a delicious weeknight meal. —Terri Crandall, Gardnerville, Nevada
Ham & Feta Omelet
Any excuse to have feta cheese and balsamic vinaigrette is a good one! We pile this Italian-inspired omelet with tomatoes for a great get-started breakfast. —Brittany Beus, College Station, Texas
Breakfast Pitas
My husband and I like these pita pockets all by themselves for a quick breakfast. When you want a larger meal, serve hash brown potatoes and fruit on the side. —Peggy Blattel, Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Baked Ham and Colby Sandwiches
This yummy ham sliders recipe is a winner with friends and family. Not only are the warm sandwiches a snap to prepare, but they smell so good when baking that no can resist them. They are a staple at our get-togethers. —Sherry Crenshaw, Fort Worth, Texas
Mini Ham 'n' Cheese Frittatas
I found this recipe a few years ago and tried to make it with it with a few changes. I'm diabetic, and this fits into my low-carb and low-fat diet. Every time I serve a brunch, the frittatas are the first thing to disappear, and nobody knows they are low fat! —Susan Watt, Basking Ridge, New Jersey
Chipotle Ham 'n' Cheese Dip
During the busy holiday season, you just can't beat convenient slow cooker recipes like this that let you visit with guests instead of working away in the kitchen. —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri
Hay and Straw
This recipe is not only quick and easy to prepare, it's pretty, too. This colorful pasta dish combines julienned ham, Parmesan cheese, peas and linguine.—Priscilla Weaver, Hagerstown, Maryland
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Susan Bronson